Man arrested in Fairfield in incident involving road rage, sword

A Sacramento man was arrested Sunday afternoon after an alleged road-rage incident that began on the Yolo Causeway during which he allegedly waved a samurai-type sword at another motorist before eventually being taken into custody just east of Fairfield, the California Highway Patrol reported.

Tristan Quilter, 31, was forced over during a felony stop on westbound Interstate 80 near the Cordelia truck scales, where he was taken into custody on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon -- a vehicle -- and brandishing a weapon, said CHP Sgt. Jason Hekker.

According to the victim, an unidentified 22-year-old Vacaville man, the incident began around 2 p.m., when Quilter, who was driving a silver 2006 Honda Civic, began tailgating and aggressively swerving toward his vehicle, Hekker said. Witnesses reported that the victim had been keeping up with the flow of traffic. However, when he slowed to try to allow the other motorist around him, Quilter allegedly became more agitated.

The incident continued to escalate as they continued traveling west, Hekker said. While driving through Vacaville, Quilter allegedly reached for a sword that was approximately 2 feet in length and waved it out the window of his vehicle at the victim's SUV and continued to taunt him.

As Quilter continued "circling (the victim's) vehicle," he drove up on the right side of the victim's SUV before making and aggressive sharp left, intentionally swerving in front of the victim and forcing him to slam on his brakes, Hekker said. As a result of Quilter's alleged actions, the victim was rear-ended by another motorist traveling behind him.

There were no injuries in the crash, Hekker noted, and both vehicles sustained only minor damage.

Other motorists had called 911 reporting the incident and officers were on the lookout for Quilter's vehicle, which was spotted by Hekker as it passed Travis Boulevard in Fairfield. Witnesses were able to provide the suspect's license plate number, confirming it was the correct vehicle, and Quilter was finally stopped near the scales.

Hekker said the sword was at Quilter's feet when he was detained.

The victim was then transported to the scene for an in-field lineup, Hekker said. The victim positively identified Quilter as the suspect, and he was subsequently booked into Solano County Jail.